Hundreds of trekkers have been rescued after a sudden blizzard struck near the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet, Chinese state media reported this October 6. About 350 people reached safety in Qudang township, while contact has been made with more than 200 others still en route.
Nearly 1,000 tourists were stranded in the remote Karma Valley as heavy snow, rain, and freezing temperatures hit during China’s National Day holiday. Authorities have suspended access to the Everest Scenic Area while rescue efforts continue.
With its peak towering over the Earth at a staggering 29,032 feet (8,849 meters), Mount Everest is the world's tallest mountain. However, it's not as static as you might think. In fact, this iconic landform is gradually growing over time. Scientists and geologists have long studied the forces behind Everest’s growth, which are tied to natural processes deep beneath the Earth’s surface, primarily the shifting of tectonic plates. And recent research suggests the merger of two nearby river systems tens of thousands of years ago could also play a part.
If you're curious to know how much the mountain will grow, whether it will continue rising forever, and to learn more about the forces at play, click through this informative gallery now.